American carriers rely on two forms of catapults: steam and electromagnetic. Although electric catapults are more efficient on paper – offering more speed, efficiency and control than their steam-powered counterparts – reliability issues paint a more complicated picture.
Deployed by the U.S. and British navies since the 1950s, steam catapults use compressed air to launch planes onto the runway. In recent years, the United States has begun replacing this technology with its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, or EMALS, which uses kinetic energy generated by electromagnetic fields to launch aircraft from the aircraft carrier. The United States deployed this technology on its latest supercarrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. China, for its part, began deploying this technology in Fujian in 2025.
Electromagnetic systems offer several advantages over their steam-powered ancestors, including faster restarts, adjustable control systems, and smoother travel. However, they also proved unreliable, forcing the operators of the USS Gerald R. Ford to rely on off-ship support personnel to troubleshoot technical problems. In fact, the system is not expected to meet its reliability goals until 2030. That’s why the Trump administration has opposed the technology, calling for a return to steam. The decision, if adopted, could have major implications for the United States’ naval advantage.
Catapult into a new era.
Electromagnetic catapults offer several advantages over traditional steam systems. First, the system can launch heavier aircraft more quickly. Using linear induction motors to generate a magnetic field, they can launch a 100,000-pound aircraft at 150 mph. The launch process takes only seconds and requires only 300 feet of runway. In comparison, typical steam catapults can only achieve such feats with a 60,000-pound aircraft.
Additionally, electromagnetic catapults give carriers greater control over their launch systems. Using a feedback control system, EMALS can adjust its force based on the aircraft’s weight, allowing for a greater variety of aircraft. Steam catapults, on the other hand, use the same pressure each time they launch, making it difficult to launch large aircraft and lighter unmanned aerial drones without major recalibration. This increased precision puts less strain on the aircraft, reducing wear and tear on the Ford’s expensive cargo.
Another major benefit of the electromagnetic launch system is the increased launch rates of a carrier. Using the aircraft carrier’s nuclear reactors, EMALS takes only 45 seconds to recharge. This fast cooldown means that Gerald R. Ford can launch aircraft in a single sortie. EMALS represents a major enhancement of launch and recovery capabilities. Originally, naval planners predicted that the new class of aircraft carriers would produce a 30 percent higher sortie rate than their Nimitz predecessors. However, although the Pentagon has said the rate of sorties has increased, the 30% figure remains unconfirmed. In theory, EMALS should also offer several logistical advantages, as it requires less space, water, and labor to operate.
An uncertain future
Despite these advantages, the USS Ford’s electromagnetic catapults have faced problems since their sea trials in 2017. Hardware and software failures have become a trend in Ford’s EMALS systems, with some preventing the carrier from launching aircraft for extended periods and requiring off-ship technical support personnel to restart operations. According to the Pentagon’s February 2025 report, “despite technical upgrades to hardware and software, reliability has not changed significantly from previous years.”
These challenges led President Trump to propose replacing the new electromagnetic system with steam catapults publicly. During a speech aboard the USS George Washington in October 2025, the president said he was “going to sign an executive order” requiring the removal of electromagnetic catapults. Such moves are not without precedent. The US Navy has abandoned Gerald R. Ford’s much-maligned dual-band radar for future Ford-class carriers. As such, the supercarrier USS John F. Kennedy will use the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar system. However, replacing EMALS would be a more complex and costly decision. The Pentagon has not yet begun a return to steam.
Despite difficulties with the United States’ EMALS program, China became the second navy to adopt electromagnetic catapults, highlighting the potential gains in capability of this technology. A major feature of Fujian, the electromagnetic catapult constitutes a significant advance in Beijing’s force-projection capabilities. Experts predict that the People’s Liberation Army’s next aircraft carrier will likely use four electromagnetic catapults, matching those on the USS Gerald R. Ford. The increased capabilities of the United States’ largest naval rival highlight the potential consequences of the Navy’s EMALS program. To preserve its strategic advantage, the United States will have to ensure that its electromagnetic thrust does not run out of steam.
